Shirley A. Von Eschen

Shirley A. Von Eschen, 96, Bismarck died April 22, 2011, at Medcenter One Care Center in Mandan. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service Chapel, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Larry Giese officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Shirley was born on August 4, 1914, to Hazel and Walter Von Eschen in Bainville, MT. His schooling took place in Montana and he was active in sports throughout high school. In 1941, Shirley married the love of his life, Bertha Louise Nelson and they made their home in Fort Peck where he worked on the Fort Peck Dam before transferring to Riverdale, ND, to work on the Garrison Dam. Shirley served in the Army in the 280th Combat Engineer Battalion where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he returned to work for the Corp of Engineers in Riverdale and worked there until his retirement at age 58. Together they had three children, Steve, Greg, and Judy. Shirley was instrumental in starting the Thomas O. Williams Legion Post 281 in which he was very active. He was also active in the community and school affairs. He served on the school board and was a licensed water safety instructor. Shirley and his family enjoyed boating and skiing on Lake Sakakawea. They spent many hours with friends at the lake and have wonderful memories. He was also an avid hunter and together with his sons and hunting dog, Queenie, brought home ducks and pheasants. Upon his retirement, Shirley and Bertha Louise moved to Totten Trail by Lake Audobon and for the next thirty years spent their summers in North Dakota and their winters in Mesa, AZ. When in Mesa, Shirley golfed eighteen holes three times a week and attended water exercise every morning. He loved to dance and they attended dances at their court every Saturday night. They were currently living at the Waterford. Shirley is survived by is wife of nearly seventy years, Bertha Louise; his son Steve and his wife Cheryl CA, their two children, Greg CA and Brian, and his daughter Kaylee CA; his daughter Judy Austad, her husband Alan Mandan, and their three children, Camie and Tim Mateski OR, Stacy DC, and Brandon Fargo. Shirley was preceded in death by his son, Greg, who was killed in a plane crash; his brother, LeRoy and his wife, Lillian Von Eschen; and his parents, Walter and Hazel Von Eschen.

Shirley A. Von Eschen

August 4, 1914 - April 22, 2011